In our September NARVRE newsletter, Garey Faley, the National Legislative Director of NARVRE, wrote a compelling article about the need for NARVRE members to take action in this unprecedented political era. Here is a summary of what’s happening with government funding and how it’s affecting the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).
On Thursday, July 25th, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations made a remarkable move by approving the Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation, Housing, and Development (THUD) budget. This decision is vital for advancing railway infrastructure and operations in the United States. The approved budget allocates $3.46 billion for federal rail programs and $17 billion for the Federal Transit Administration. This funding encompasses various vital aspects such as Amtrak operations, the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Safety and Operations Budget, the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program, the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program, and the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. The substantial financial support for the FY2025 THUD budget is expected to positively impact our NARVRE members and railway enthusiasts nationwide.